Lawmakers pay respects to officer killed in riot
‘We will never forget,’ Pelosi says of Sicknick
WASHINGTON – Top leaders in Congress on Wednesday paid tribute to fallen United States Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was lying in honor at the Capitol Rotunda until his interment at Arlington National Cemetery later Wednesday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DCalif., praised the 42-year-old officer as a “hero” for his efforts Jan. 6 to stop a pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol trying to stop the congressional counting of Electoral College votes for then-President-elect Joe Biden.
“Our promise to Brian’s family is that we will never forget his sacrifice ... we will never forget,” Pelosi said during the somber ceremony as she turned to address his relatives and friends. “With your permission, may we be worthy to carry Brian in our hearts.”
Sicknick joined two other Capitol Police officers who have received the honor after dying in the line of duty: Officer Jacob J. Chestnut Jr. and Detective John M. Gibson, who were fatally shot in 1998 when an armed intruder got past a security checkpoint at the Capitol.
“The courage of these heroes brings honor, brings luster to our Constitution and to our democracy,” Pelosi said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called Sicknick “a peacekeeper who loved his dogs and his girlfriend Sandra (Garza) and his family and the New Jersey Devils. He was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. And it did on a day when peace was shattered.”
Sicknick was one of five people who died during the Jan. 6 riot that also injured at least 140 officers in the Washington Police Department and the USCP. Two others, Jeffrey Smith of the DC Police and Howard Liebengood of the Capitol Police, died by suicide in the weeks after the attack.
After Wednesday’s ceremony, silence filled the rotunda as members of the Capitol Police force, National Guard and others approached the urn carrying Sicknick’s remains in groups or individually to pay their respects. Most saluted the fallen officer.
An American flag was placed next to the urn, both sitting in front three wreaths representing the Senate, the House and the Capitol Police.
Then came a ceremonial departure, with dozens of police officers lining up in front of the East Front of the Capitol. The American flag on top of the building flew at half-staff.
Two officers carried Sicknick’s remains and the folded American flag down the Capitol stairs as bagpipes played “Amazing Grace.”
A hearse then drove away, taking Sicknick’s remains to Arlington National Cemetery with a Capitol Police escort.
Following the ceremony, officers walked back into the Capitol to return to their work.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden came to the Capitol on Tuesday evening, when Sicknick’s remains had their ceremonial arrival and when Capitol Police officers were invited to view the remains.